Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE LIVES BY ADVANCING JUSTICE THROUGH EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND VIGOROUS LEGAL ADVOCACY, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.
- Income
- $30.1 million
- Spending
- $29.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 288
- Volunteers
- 432
- Highest pay
- $256,110, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 62 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $25.8 million spent. "PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE INDIGENT IN THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIVE AREAS: HEALTH, HOUSING, SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILITY, SAFETY & STABILITY, AND FREE CLINICS. WHAT WE DOACCESS TO HEALTH CARE: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP TO THOSE WITH PROBLEMS GAINING HEALTH COVERAGE OR HEALTH SERVICES WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES. WE CAN HELP IF THERE ARE CHANGES IN YOUR HEALTH SERVICES, WHEN THERE IS A TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN HEALTH COVERAGE AND WHEN THERE IS A NEED TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH HEALTH PLANS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)MENTAL HEALTH: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. WE CAN ASSIST WITH OBTAINING MEDICATION, ACCESSING CARE, OR APPEALING A DECISION BY YOUR COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PLAN. WE CAN ASSIST YOU WHEN YOUR PLAN TRIES TO REDUCE, TERMINATE OR DENY SERVICES (MEDI-CAL NOTICE OF ACTION). WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU WITH A GRIEVANCE CONCERNING QUALITY OR APPROPRIATENESS OF CARE. WE ARE THE COUNTY-DESIGNATED PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE FOR OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE FOR ANY PROBLEMS YOU HAVE WITH OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE WILL INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE ISSUES RAISED BY YOU OR YOUR FAMILY. WE EDUCATE CLIENTS ABOUT THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. WE WORK TO RESOLVE YOUR GRIEVANCES WHEN YOU DON'T GET THE RIGHT CARE.HOUSING EVICTION: WE HAVE MANY WAYS TO HELP IF YOU ARE BEING EVICTED AND QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES. WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING: WE OFFER FREE HELP TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS WITH SECTION 8, TAX CREDIT OR OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING. WE PROVIDE HELP WITH YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING OFFICE AND ITS NOTICES. FOR INSTANCE: QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS TO PUBLIC HOUSING, PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING CERTIFICATE, PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LANDLORD UNDER PUBLIC HOUSING, TERMINATION OF YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING BENEFITS, CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE TO YOUR CURRENT PUBLIC HOUSING SITUATION (SUCH AS MOVING TO ANOTHER PLACE OR ADDING ANOTHER ROOM OR ANOTHER PERSON TO YOUR HOUSING).HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: WE WORK TO STOP HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, ENSURING EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO; THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL AND STATE FAIR HOUSING LAWS.ALL OTHER HOUSING: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY THAT ARE HAVING HOUSING PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS A TENANT, AS WELL AS, THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEPOSITS, FORECLOSURES, LOAN MODIFICATIONS AND MOBILE HOMES.SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CALWORKS/CALFRESH: YOU CAN GET FREE ADVICE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING, RECEIVING, OR OWING GENERAL RELIEF, CALWORKS, WELFARE TO WORK, CALFRESH, CAPI, KINGAP, FOSTER CARE, AND ADOPTIVE ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS, POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION FOR HEARINGS REGARDING THESE BENEFITS, FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES.SSI: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) CLAIMS. OUR SPECIALLY TRAINED ADVOCATES AND ATTORNEYS HELP WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND SSI CLAIMS PROCESS, INCLUDING: INITIAL APPLICATIONS, RECONSIDERATIONS, HEARINGS, CONTINUED DISABILITY REVIEWS AND ALL OTHER APPEALS. THEY WILL PREPARE APPLICATIONS, FILE APPEALS AND OBTAIN MEDICAL AND OTHER EVIDENCE TO PROVE YOUR CLAIM. OUR ATTORNEYS WILL REPRESENT YOU IN SOCIAL SECURITY HEARINGS. ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE. WE DO NOT CHARGE, AND WE DO NOT TAKE PART OF YOUR RETROACTIVE BENEFITS WHEN YOU ARE GRANTED.MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILITY CONSUMER PROTECTION: THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION HELPS LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISPUTES WITH BUSINESSES. THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF PROBLEMS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN HELP WITH: PROBLEMS WITH BUYING A CAR OR MAKING PAYMENTS, REPOSSESSION, BAD AUTO REPAIRS, IDENTITY THEFT, STUDENT LOANS, HARASSMENT BY DEBT COLLECTORS.CALWORKS/CALFRESH: YOU CAN GET FREE ADVICE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING, RECEIVING, OR OWING GENERAL RELIEF, CALWORKS, WELFARE TO WORK, CALFRESH, CAPI, KINGAP, FOSTER CARE, AND ADOPTIVE ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS, POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION FOR HEARINGS REGARDING THESE BENEFITS, FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES.FEDERAL TAX: WE CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES WITH CERTAIN KINDS OF TAX PROBLEMS.SAFETY AND STABILITY IMMIGRATION: IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING: FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION INCLUDING NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP, REMOVAL DEFENSE (IMMIGRATION COURT), VAWA, U AND T VISAS, GREEN CARD RENEWAL, WAIVERS.CONSERVATORSHIP: WE HAVE A FREE CLINIC TO HELP WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF CONSERVATORSHIPS. IF A CONSERVATORSHIP IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR SITUATION, SOME OF THE WAYS WE CAN ASSIST YOU INCLUDE: PROVIDE A SAMPLE AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING PAPERWORK, REVIEW YOUR PAPERWORK BEFORE YOU FILE, PROVIDE GUIDANCE WITH SERVING CITATION TO THE CONSERVATEE AND NOTICE TO THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES, PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR HEARING, ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE CONSERVATORSHIP PROCESS.CHILD CUSTODY/VISITATION/DIVORCE: WE PROVIDE HELP WITH FAMILY LAW PROBLEMS. WE MAY REPRESENT PEOPLE IN DISSOLUTION (DIVORCE) OR PATERNITY CASES WHEN THERE ARE CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES. OUR TOP PRIORITY IS REPRESENTATION OF A PARENT WHO HAS ONGOING PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILD. WE CAN SOMETIMES REPRESENT A PARENT WHOSE COURT ORDERED VISITATION HAS BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE OTHER PARENT.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER: WE HAVE A FREE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC LOCATED AT THE SOUTH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS REQUIRED TO PETITION FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER, ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS TO RESPOND TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER, PROVIDE INFORMATION/OPTIONS/EDUCATION ON THE LAW, THE COURT PROCESS AND TIMELINES. VICTIMS RECEIVE SAFETY PLAN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION ON SHELTERS AND RESOURCES.ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER: WE HAVE A FREE ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC. WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE COURT F
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1957.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.